Loveland, Colorado: A dog-friendly Valentines Day destination
Loveland is a town that leans into it’s name pretty hard, and we’re here for it! In January and February of every year, the whole community goes all in on love. From valentine-themed public art, to special valentines light shows and festivals, to a decades-old valentine re-mailing program, you’ll find all kinds of fun things to do. And it just so happens that a vast majority of these festivities are dog-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a couples getaway that includes your pooch, or a special pawrent & me valentines outing, Loveland is a fantastic destination!
Introduction to Loveland, Colorado, The Sweetheart City
Welcome to Loveland, Colorado, a town where art, nature, and romance come together in perfect harmony! Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Loveland is famous for its enchanting sculptures, heart-shaped valentine tradition, and vibrant community spirit. Whether you’re strolling through sculpture gardens, exploring scenic trails, or savoring local flavors, Loveland invites you to fall in love with its charm, one delightful moment at a time.
Loveland earned its reputation as the “Sweetheart City” thanks to its unique connection to Valentine’s Day, a tradition that began in 1947. It all started when Ted Thompson, Loveland’s postmaster, and Elmer Ivers, a local artist and greeting card designer, came up with the idea to re-mail valentines with a special Loveland postmark and a romantic verse.
The tradition quickly gained popularity, and today, the Loveland Valentine Re-Mailing Program is world-famous. People from all over the globe send their valentines to Loveland to have them stamped with a specially designed cachet (a decorative postmark) and a message of love before being sent to their final destination. Each year, the cachet and poem are created by local artists and writers, adding a unique touch to the heartfelt tradition. Loveland’s rich Valentine’s history continues to make it a special destination for love and celebration.
Beyond the mail, Loveland is rich with Valentine-themed activities, many of which are available your-round. The landscape is particularly enchanting, however, under the frosty sky of February, when taking your dog for hikes and even walks around the block can feel tedious in the cold. In February, the season of love lights up this entire community with a warm glow of heart-shaped community cheer, and it just so happens that the town is extremely dog-friendly too!
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Things to do
Loveland is filled with dog-friendly love-themed activities! Whether you’re making a day or a weekend out of your visit, keep reading to discover all the possibilities.
Dog-friendly valentine-themed activities
Lock your love on one of the two giant love lock sculptures
📅Year-Round
Loveland, Colorado, offers a unique twist on the global love lock tradition through its artistic sculptures, providing a safe and meaningful space for visitors to celebrate love. The city features two prominent love lock sculptures: a massive 24,000-pound installation at the Loveland Visitors Center, and a 12-foot-tall heart-shaped sculpture at Foundry Plaza on the shores of Lake Loveland. Both sculptures invite people to attach locks as a symbol of their love and commitment, with locks available for purchase at the Visitors Center or during the Sweetheart Festival. This tradition, inspired by an ancient Chinese custom, is a way for visitors to leave a lasting mark in the nation’s Sweetheart City, and enshrine their love in a permanent tribute.
A darling tradition for lovers, we find it to be just as special for celebrating the pure and unadulterated love that exists between humans and dogs. You are welcome to bring your own lock, but when you purchase one for $20 in the visitor’s center, you get to choose from a variety of options, and they provide an engraver for you to mark your lock in any way you choose. Dogs are not allowed inside the visitor’s center, but your furry bestie can join you in locking your love onto either sculpture!
Loveland Visitor Center
- 5400 Stone Creek Cir, Loveland, CO 80538
- Hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday
Love Lock Sculpture #1: LOVE
- 5400 Stone Creek Cir, Loveland, CO 80538 (outside visitor center)
Love Lock Sculpture #2: Heart
- 1429-1401 Lake Dr, Loveland, CO 80537 (across from Dwayne Webster Veteran’s Park)
Admire love-themed murals downtown
📅Year-round
Downtown Loveland is filled with murals inspired by the city’s sweetheart reputation, and in February, many storefronts become decked out in hearts and valentines.
More information about all the public art in Loveland here
Go on a heart-shaped scavenger hunt
📅Year-round
Loveland’s City with a HeART project, launched in 2007, showcases 30 heart-themed sculptures created by local artists. These pieces, which evolve with the seasons and light, are scattered throughout the city, with some cleverly hidden and others prominently displayed. Works like Lego My Heart and I Tied Your Heart Up add color, creativity, and charm to Loveland’s landscape, with new sculptures introduced annually.
The website below lists all sculptures, with photos, and includes information about the artists that created them.
Full list of heart sculptures here
See the valentine-themed lights show – Chapungu Sculpture Park
📅January 31 – February 16, 5pm-9pm nightly
From Feb. 1 to Feb. 14, Chapungu Sculpture Park transforms into a romantic wonderland with red and pink lights, sweetheart-themed décor, and illuminated African stone sculptures, offering perfect selfie spots. Open from 5–9 p.m. nightly, this free event welcomes everyone, including leashed pets. After enjoying the lights and love songs, visit the Promenade Shops at Centerra to skate, shop, or dine for a complete Valentine’s outing.
Send valentines (or pawlentines!)
For 79 years, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Postal Service have partnered in the world-famous Valentine Re-mailing Program, celebrating Loveland as the “Sweetheart City.” Each year, valentines from all 50 states and over 110 countries are sent to Loveland to receive a special collector’s stamp and postmark. To participate, send a pre-stamped, pre-addressed valentine inside a larger envelope to the Loveland Postmaster by the listed deadlines:
- January 29, 2025 | International Mail deadline
- February 7, 2025 | Continental US deadline
- February 10, 2025 | Colorado deadline (within the state)
More information about how to participate in the valentine remailing program here
You can also purchase a special valentine card to send or share. The card is designed each year with new artwork and an original poem. You can purchase the cards online here, or at any of the following locations:
- B Sweet Cupcakes
- Olive And Herb
- Columbine Drug
- Club Loveland
- Barnyard Vet & Pet Supply
- King Soopers (E. 29th)
- King Soopers (Eagle Dr.)
- Loveland Museum & Gallery
- Loveland Good Sam
- Independent Financial
- Rowes Flowers
- Walmart (65th St.)
- Walmart (Denver Ave.)
- Adams Bank & Trust
- Hays Market-Berthoud
- Safeway (Taft / Eisenhower)
- Safeway (Downtown)
- Safeway (Wilson / Eisenhower)
- Visitor Center
- Berthoud Drug
Other dog-friendly activities: Not valentine themed, but still great
Walk the dog-friendly Benson Sculpture Garden
Benson Sculpture Park, located at 1125 W. 29th Street in Loveland, CO, is a public space featuring over 150 sculptures, a gazebo (reservable for up to 50 people), walking paths, ponds, benches, restrooms, and a drinking fountain. The park is free to visit and fully accessible.
Walk the Chapungu Sculpture Park
Chapungu Sculpture Park, located at 5995 Sky Pond Dr in Loveland, CO, celebrates the rich tradition of Zimbabwean stone sculpture, a renowned art form rooted in Shona culture and beliefs. Spanning 26 acres, this unique outdoor exhibit features over 80 hand-carved stone sculptures, portraying themes like family, nature, and the spirit world. Inspired by the “Chapungu,” or “Great Spirit Bird,” the park honors the legacy of traditional African art while showcasing dynamic works from contemporary artists. Established in 2007, it embodies Loveland’s commitment to art and community, offering visitors a tranquil space for reflection and connection to universal human experiences.
Nearby dog-friendly hikes we love
